Washing of a contaminated guideroll and prevention therefrom in cloth treatments

ABSTRACT

A method of cleaning the surfaces of guide rolls used in treating and processing cloth comprised of the step of passing a strip of material soaked in a cleaning fluid, such as water, in a continuous path over and in contact with the guide rolls. The method is preferably performed by attaching the strip of material to the cloth being processed and continuously passing it through the guide rolls following the cloth to remove any contamination that might have been accumulated on the rolls during processing. In the passage over the rolls, which are preferably reversed during the cleaning operation, the strip of material is squeezed against the rolls and the cleaning fluid assists in the removal of contaminants as the cloth wipes the roll clean.

United States Patent Japan 41-32873, 41-76606 and 41-102720 WASHING OF A CONTAMINATED GUIDEROLL AND PREVENTION TI-IEREFROM IN CLOTH TREATMENTS 5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

us. C1 8/147,

34/39 Int. Cl F26h 13/08 Field of Search 8/151, 147,

Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Attorney-McGlew and Toren ABSTRACT: A method of cleaning the surfaces of guide rolls used in treating and processing cloth comprised of the step of passing a strip of material soaked in a cleaning fluid, such as water, in a continuous path over and in contact with the guide rolls. The method is preferably performed by attaching the strip of material to the cloth being processed and continuously passing it through the guide rolls following the cloth to remove any contamination that might have been accumulated on the rolls during processing. In the passage over the rolls, which are preferably reversed during the cleaning operation, the strip of material is squeezed against the rolls and the cleaning fluid assists in the removal of contaminants as the cloth wipes the roll clean.

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WWW/W RTTIR "E15 WASHING or A CONTAMINATED GUIDEROLL AND PREVENTION THEREFROM IN CLOTH TREATMENTS A method of preventing the accumulation of contaminating matter on guiderolls comprising the step of maintaining the surface of the guideroll in a moist condition by keeping the temperature of the surface of the guideroll close to the temperature of the dew point of the atmosphere surrounding the guideroll.

A liquid tank used in processing and treating cloth, formed by a container for holding liquid used in treating cloth, alternatively the tank may be emptied of liquid either by providing it with a removable bottom cover, or by arranging the tank to be tipped so that its contents may be discharged quickly. Further, washing means are mounted on the tank so that it can be cleaned after its contents are emptied.

A guideroll for use in treating and processing cloth formed by a hollow cylinder closed at its end with a pipe extending centrally through the cylinder. The pipe has openings communicating with the space between the pipe and the cylinder for delivering heated fluid thereto to heat the surface of the guideroll to a desired temperature. Preferably, the surface of the guideroll is formed with a hard chrome coating or is made of stainless steel to provide a surface which is suitable for removing contaminants. I In the resin treatment and the dye processing of cloth, the cloth is dryed or subjected to steaming, and in such operations the guiderolls in the treatment chamber become extremely contaminated.

The desired objects in such operations can be achieved only when by having the chemical liquid used for processing permeates into the cloth being worked upon, and when the cloth is passed through the treatment chamber in compliance with the end result desired. Therefore, in the resin treatment the application of resin suitable for processing the cloth and the dye for absorption into the cloth, are both supplied on the cloth. At the same time, a part of the resin and the dye adheres to the guiderolls, and as a consequence the guiderolls become contaminated. Therefore, in such operations as dyeing, resin treatment, and baking, it often happens that there is a buildup on the surface of the roll, especially on the parts of the rolls which the selvage parts of the cloth contact so that, dye, resin and the other materials accumulate in a dry condition, so that processing of the cloth is hindered. This occurs because the parts of the rolls over which the cloth passes are not contaminated to any extent, while the parts of the roll in contact with the selvage parts of the cloth are readily contaminated and further, owing to the sideward' deviation of the cloth, undesirable matter which happens to attach itself to such parts become dried and secured thereon.

Therefore, guiderolls of this kind require frequent removal of the surface contamination, and such removal operation is not free from problems because it is difficult and requires considerable time. The hotflue roller dryer for adherence and color forming in dyeing is an example, the cloth padded with the dyestufi' enters into the nontouch dryer or the roller dryer for intermediate drying, where the cloth is dried and when the drying reaches a moisture percentage less than32 percent, removal of the dyestuff stops and then the dyestuff adheres to the cloth.

During this process the dyestuff adheres also to the rolls and some of these guiderolls become thoroughly contaminated.

Although these contaminated rolls cam be wiped clean when they are hot and giving off plenty of moisture, however, this wiping is formed conventionally by an operator entering into the treatment chamber, and as a result the temperature in the chamber must be lowered, thus increasing the adhesion power of the contaminating matter and making stains hard to remove. Consequently it takes a long time to wipe them off. (conventionally it has required 1-4 hours.)

After the color change is completed, the temperature is raised to the predetermined level and the processing is begun.

However, in this process, a working efficiency of only about l5 percent can be obtained.

Even if the processing is performed at the risk of the generation of color difference, by regulating the processing speed in accordance with the rising temperature to increase the efficiency, the efficiency thus obtainable is as low as 30 percent.

Nevertheless, when, according to various specifications color changes are required as often as 15 times a day efficiency of about 30 percent can not be obtained by the above timeconsuming process. There is also the case where the operation of the machine is regulated in consideration of the treatment of the cloth, so that dyeing operations may be performed from a lightly dyed cloth to a deeply dyed one to afford a continuous treatment.

But even in such a case, provided that the process is suitably set, though the working efficiency may be partly improved, yet the total efficiency will still remain low.

Further, contamination of the rolls used in such a continuous treatment is so severe that it requires some 4 hours at least to perform the wiping operation.

Moreover, in getting rid of the stains on the rolls, emery paper is usually used, which scratches the surfaces of the rolls, thus resulting in an increase of roll contamination.

Further, in getting rid of roll contamination the roll is injured due to the necessity of workmen climbing on the roll to perform the wiping operation. 7

This invention is made as a result of research on a method wherein in the hightemperature chamber, automatic washing and wiping of the roll is preformed in 2-3 minutes, with an object of overcoming such defects as uneveness of the products and loss of time, and the further object of decreasing labor cost, and simultaneously increasing working efficiency.

According to the present invention, the cloth of each lot is connected with a guide cloth coated especially with sponge rubber on both sides, so asto be able retain, considerable amounts of water and, in washing the liquid bucket when changing of color is done, this guide cloth is also soaked with water, is set on the rolls, and is passed through the chamber with same speed as the ordinary case.

While the guide cloth (blanket) enters into the chamber, and passes over the guiderolls, the guiderolls are successively reversed in such a manner that when one guideroll completes reversing the next guideroll begins to be reversed one after another a definite intervals.

It is useful to increase the wiping efficiency by performing the reversing operation under such conditions that the adhering matter on the rolls is furnished moisture and is made more easily removable by providing a vapor jet pipe at the place surrounded by the guide cloth (blanket).

In the present invention the conventional problems are avoided by the use of such a guide cloth, and the actual working efficiency can be increased to -95 percent.

Further in the present invention, the processing can be made continuous merely by connecting the cloth with the special guide cloth without stopping the machine at every color change.

This is very advantageous in the case of various color arrangements.

The length of the guide cloth is sufficient, if it is long enough for wiping to be completed: a length of m. is enough if the treatment speed is 60 m./minutes to, complete the wiping in 2 minutes, and a length of m. is enough if wiping requires 3 minutes.

Now, the above disclosure is concerned with the hotflue roller dryer in continuous dyeing precessing, but the case is quite the same for the roll in the steaming chamber of the pad steamer in the same continuous dyeing processing, and is also effective for the roll in the dry chamberin the continuous resin treatment, or for the roll in the baking (or curing) machine chamber in dyeing or in resin treatment.

Sufficient washing effect is obtained by the washing method wherein the roll is reversed using a guide cloth having sponges attached on both of its sides, or by passing an ordinary guide cloth specially soaked with water through the contaminated rolls.

A water spraying apparatus, for example, is provided at the entrance of the dryer to supply water to the guide cloth.

Especially in the case of wiping the roll in the continuous high pressure steamer and the like, it involves a sizable loss of time and thermoeconomy to keep the chamber at a high pressure, at one time and then to lower the pressure and the temperature in the chamber in order to effect wiping of the stains on the rolls and again to increase the pressure, and the temperature.

Contrary to this, a wiping method using the guide cloth according to this invention will enable a short-time treatment at a constant high pressure with good results.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the contamination of the roll surfaces by dyeing material, resin and other matter by keeping the surface temperature of the roll close to the temperature of the dew point of the atmosphere in the vicinity of around the roll by passing heating medium such as hot water and heated air etc. within the guiderolls to produce moisture just below the dew point on the surface of the roll.

The reason why the temperature on the surface of the roll is kept close to the temperature of the dew point is that when the surface is heated above the temperature of the dew point, the contaminating matter sticks to the surface in a dry condition, and when cooled to a temperature less than the dew point, dew is produced and the resulting cloth would be unsatisfactory.

When the temperature on the surface of the roll is kept close to the temperature of the dew point, the surface of the roll is always in the wet condition, and is maintained free from contaminates and the dew point moisture on the surface of the roll will not decrease the drying efficiency in the cloth processing. This occurs because the interior of the processing chamber shows considerable humidity even though dew is not produced.

Also when dirt adheres to the surface of the roll, especially to the roll parts contacted by the selvage portions of the cloth, it can easily be wiped off as the occasion demands.

Further, in the practice of the invention, if the surface of the guideroll is coated with a hard chrome plating to form a film thereon and to give a good mold releasing effect and to prevent the surface injury, it will be more advantageous.

Conventionally as the guideroll of this kind, a stainless steel roll or the like is used.

Further, the present invention offers a novel liquid bucket for the liquid dye which is absorbed into the cloth in the continuous dyeing process.

In conventional dyeing apparatus the equipment has been stopped at each color change in dyeing, therefore it has required much time to clean the interior of the liquid dye bucket.

In this case stopping the equipment (that is the continuous dyeing apparatus) means stopping not only the liquid bucket, but also stopping of the subsequent drying machine.

In case the drying machine is stopped in this manner, it follows that either the temperature is increased, or lowered. In either case heat loss will result.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above difficulties and provide a novel liquid tank having an opening means at its bottom or a reversing means so as to enable removal of the liquid dye, washing of the tank and the addition of fresh liquid in a short time.

The invention will be better understood from the following disclosure of the examples in connection with the accompanying drawings in which;

FIG. I is a section ofa blanket (or guide cloth);

FIG. 2 is a section in a hotflue chamber furnished with washing waterjet pipes, or vapor jet pipes;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the relationship between the vapor jet pipes and the guiderolls, and and showing the vapor generating pipeline system,

FIG. 4 shows the driving means for the guiderolls.

FIG. 5 shows a front view partly in section of a guideroll used in this invention,

FIG. 6 shows a side section of the same arrangement in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a controlling system, employed in the present invention,

FIGS. 8A, and B show side and front views of wiping devices, according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view ofa wiping device and FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show vertical sections of the alternate liquid tank arrangements, according to this invention, containing the liquid dye which penetrates into the cloth in the continuous dyeing process of the cloth.

FIG. 1 shows a section of a special guide cloth (blanket) C as aforesaid, wherein the width of the guide cloth is equal to the working width of the guideroll, and the guide cloth is made capable of wiping from one end to the other end of the roll, and is coated on both sides with spongy materials D or similar materials which are effective in wiping the rolls but do not injure the surface of the roll.

FIG. 2 shows the hotflue roller dryer provided with the vapor jet pipes, wherein 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 represent the upper and lower guiderolls and 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 represent jet pipes.

Each jet nozzle is fitted so as to blow moistened adhesive matters perpendicularly to the guide cloth or to the surface of the roll.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the rolls and the pipes, and the vapor generating pipeline, wherein 1-5 represent the guiderolls and 6-10 are the jet pipes.

Piping 11 shown partly in dot-dash lines represents a pipe arrangement for connecting with the pipes 6-10. 13 shows a vapor valve. 14 shows the system wherein the vapor is spouted from an injector 12 to the pipe, regulating the opening degree in the water valve in such a way that more or less moist vapor is generated.

FIG. 4 shows a method of driving the guiderolls 1-5,

wherein each roll is driven by a torque motor with a potentialregulator, and the rolls usually rotate in the normal manner, but in changing color they are reversed from one to another by pushing an indicating button for a reverse turn through a timer or relay.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the guideroll A, wherein the hot water pipe 22 is inserted through the hollow roll body 21 with both ends closed, and in the pipe 22 situated in the interior of the roll 21 there are penetrating holes 23 suitably spaced, and at the same time penetrating holes 23 are also bored on the partition 24 which divides the interior of the roll 21, thereby hot water flowing through the pipe 22 in the direction as marked by the arrows enters between the roll 21 and the pipe 22 through the penetrating holes 23, 23 and heats the surface ofthe roll 21.

FIG. 7 shows a controlling system in case the guideroll is arranged in a dryer chamber, wherein by means of a dew point detector the temperature of the dew point in the drying chambers is detected, and by controlling the signal air which is supplied into the record regulator, the signal conveyed by the N0. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 signal lines regulates the temperature of the heater in the drying chamber, the exhaust gas volume of the exhaust fan connected to the dryer, and the temperature of the hot water flowing into the guideroll (not shown) respectively. Thus, by means of this controlling system the temperature on the surface of the guideroll is kept at the temperature of the dew point of the air in the drying chamber.

In case the guideroll is arranged outside the chamber, the temperature of the dew point of the air in the vicinity of the surface ofthe guideroll is detected, and the temperature of the how water flowing into the guideroll may be kept at the temperature of the dew point thereof.

FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 9 disclose wiping devices which are supplementally used, wherein the wiping rolls B left and right are arranged adjacent to the guideroll A in which hot water flows and these wiping rolls are mounted on roll arms 26 having a center 25 and by revolving the roll arms the wiping rolls are moved into contact with the part of the roll A which the selvage of the cloth touches, and thus stains on the surface of the roll A can be wiped off as the occasion demands.

The roll B comprises a pipe 27 on which a sponge layer 28 is wound and washing water is circulated through the pipe so that moisture is given to the sponge layer 28 through penetrating holes 29. By pressing the roll B in the wet condition on to the guideroll A stains on the surface of the guideroll are wiped off.

Meanwhile, instead of the wiping device as above-mentioned, the wiping of the guideroll may be effected by passing a guide cloth, having a sponge layer and placed between each cloth lot, over the surface of the guideroll at the change of color in dyeing.

As disclosed above, as contamination of the surface of the cloth guideroll is effectively prevented, satisfactory products can be obtained, thus contributing to the improvement of quality, and making long continuous operation of the cloth treatment possible, with an improvement in working efficiency up to 90-95 percent.

Even when dirt happens to adhere to the surface of the guideroll, it can easily be eliminated by wiping without stopping the machine, thus ensuring economy of heat.

Next, an explanation shall be made of the liquid tank for applying dyeing liquid to the cloth. In FIG. and FIG. 11 the cloth 3! enters into the liquid 39 and goes out therefrom after passing over the guideroll 34 fixed under the spacer 35.

In changing the liquid in FIG. 10, a liquid tank 32 and a spacer 35 are fixed, and only a bottom cover 33 is revolved, around a joint 37 by an air cylinder 30 or by some other similar mechanism, thereby the liquid is removed from the tank.

A connection 38 is shown between the piston of an air cylinder 30 with the bottom cover 33.

The fixed tank 32, the spacer 35 and the bottom cover 33 can be respectively washed by sprinkling the washing water from the showerpipe 36.

FIG. 11 shows an apparatus arranged in such a way that the whole liquid tank 32 is titled, and removal of the dyeing liquid, washing and replacement of the dyeing liquid can be effected in a similar way as shown in FIG. 10.

We claim:

1. A method of preventing the accumulation of contaminating matter on guiderolls employed in treating and precessing cloth wherein the precessing of the cloth takes place within a heated treatment chamber, comprising the steps of circulating a heat transfer fluid through the guiderolls for maintaining the temperature on the exterior surface of the guideroll contacting the cloth approximately at the temperature of the dew point of the atmosphere surrounding the guideroll within the treatment chamber.

2. A method, as set forth in claim 1, characterized therein by supplying the heat transfer fluid into the guiderolls so that the fluid enters the guiderolls in indirect contact with the inner surface of the guiderolls which contacts the cloth, conveying the heat transfer fluid into direct contact with the inner surface of the guiderolls, and flowing the heat transfer fluid through the guiderolls in direct contact with the inner surface of the guiderolls.

3 A method of preventing the accumulation of contaminating matter on guiderolls as set forth in claim 1, comprising the step of forming a hardened surface on the guiderolls.

4. A method of preventing staining of a guideroll for cloth in various cloth-finishing processes, such as continuous dyeing, continuous resin treatment, and the like, comprising the step of passing a heating medium through the inside of the guideroll which contacts the cloth being processed approximately at the dew point of the surrounding air.

5. A method, as set forth in claim 4, comprising the step of providing the roller with a hard chrome-plated surface. 

2. A method, as set forth in claim 1, characterized therein by supplying the heat transfer fluid into the guiderolls so that the fluid enters the guiderolls in indirect contact with the inner surface of the guiderolls which contacts the cloth, conveying the heat transfer fluid into direct contact with the inner surface of the guiderolls, and flowing the heat transfer fluid through the guiderolls in direct contact with the inner surface of the guiderolls. 3 A method of preventing the accumulation of contaminating matter on guiderolls as set forth in claim 1, comprising the step of forming a hardened surface on the guiderolls.
 4. A method of preventing staining of a guideroll for cloth in various cloth-finishing processes, such as continuous dyeing, continuous resin treatment, and the like, comprising the step of passing a heating medium through the inside of the guideroll which contacts the cloth being processed approximately at the dew point of the surrounding air.
 5. A method, as set forth in claim 4, comprising the step of providing the roller with a hard chrome-plated surface. 